This last installment is a set of examples of how flipped learning is being used in the workplace. There are some cool uses in here so please read on!

New hire onboarding

Think about the last time you were a new hire. How was the onboarding process? More than likely, it was a lot of manual reading and directions with very little application.

Lee and Recker tell the story of a US technology company that flipped this model. They used to hold a standard six hour classroom session for all new hires. Now the company immediately gives students access to a training application full of exercises completed with the help of a manual. The go-getters are able to complete this part of the training in just three hours. Of course, some follow up is needed, so a virtual one hour session is conducted to emphasize the key points, assess understanding, and answer remaining questions.

The outcome? Training time was decreased and retention was increased.

Sales Skills training

Lee and Recker also present a model for flipping sales training. I don’t know much about sales training – it’s not something I have ever done or participated in. But from what I gather, it usually requires sales people to leave work, travel somewhere, and sit in a classroom for a few days listening to a lot of lecture and occasionally participating in some role playing (bleh).

This flipped model for sales training looks a bit like flipped learning in college or a K-12 classroom. It starts with some recorded lectures, then students answer questions and discuss the material in online forums. The live session can occur either face-to-face or virtually and is used to answer remaining questions and practice, practice, practice. A wonderful key feature of this model is that the collaborative tools used at the beginning (forums, or some other virtual tool) are also used after the synchronous session to support students in the field.

I love this model as it is a simple, low cost, effective way to switch up any kind of skills training.

Product training

I found a couple of great examples of how flipped learning can enhance training on how to use new products – an type of training where flipped learning really makes sense.

Vayuvegula presents an example of a company switching up training on a new software product. Traditionally an instructor conducted a face-to-face training lecturing on what the software does and how to use it. In the flipped model, employees completed an eLearning course on product theory and were able to experiment with the product before a synchronous virtual session with an instructor. During that session, users asked questions and shared their experiences rather than listening to lecture. The learners found that the information was immediately applicable and tailored to their needs.

Sams and Bergmann share an example of how a hair care company is reconsidering how it trains stylists to use its products. The company usually conducts one day workshops for a new product where a trainer presents information in the morning and students practice on models in the afternoon. The company is looking toward a flipped learning model using instructional videos viewed prior to the event in order to give stylists more time to perfect their application of products.

Jane didn’t want to host a typical webinar with very little up front information, then lots of talking during the event interspersed with some Q&A, maybe a poll or two. Instead she asked participants to read an article beforehand, do some exploration of the topic if they wanted, and leave questions and comments on a blog site. The comments and questions helped shaped her presentation, which was pretty informal. During the actual webinar she answered questions that were left on the blog, encouraged discussion, and integrated some collaborative activities.

Flipped Conferences

I don’t know about you, but every time I attend a conference there is at least one breakout session where I wished I had made a different choice.

5 comments

Thanks Bob. I think there are so many awesome applications for flipping and I am hoping to keep it at the forefront of my mind when considering any new solution. At the very least it reminds me to center my practice around application as much as possible!